John Hicks, "Understanding White Light and Narrowband Monochromatic Solar Filters, - Applications, Instrumentation and Observational Techniques for Solar Astronomers", Small Tent, Friday 10:00 a.m., is a senior landscape architect specializing in site planning for Provincial Parks. John has studied and photographed the solar disk for 25 years, building his high-wall domed observatory for strictly solar use.

Surveys conducted by Sky & Telescope show that about 90% of amateur astronomers observe or photograph the Moon regularly, yet barely a third examine the Sun which can display as much detail as the lunar surface. Additionally, the solar surface changes daily, which at the very least spurs investigation. The Sun has many of the same atmospheric limitations along with a few more serious daytime physical affects, which inhibit good observing and photography. Both white light and narrowband monochromatic filters require optimum weather conditions to obtain crisp, high contrast images. A list of solar photographic tips will be discussed along with illustrations of various optical arrangements in both white light and monochromatic light. The form and function of the components within the most popular filters available will be illustrated through cross-sectional diagrams. The performance of most filters varies directly with their price but good results are often obtained with a little experimentation, and the use of digital processing programs has achieved image refinement far beyond imagination. Today's solar astronomer can easily compete with professional images taken of the entire disk. Some digital processing procedures will be exhibited to capture good narrowband images.